Salary for jobs in early 1900s San Francisco

May 7, 2018 4:00 AM

Women: Bookkeeper - $75 per month

Back in the early 1900s, jobs listed in the Chronicle's classifieds section were divided between men and women. Common positions made available to women tended to be labor-intensive, but occasionally they included desk jobs, like this one for a bookkeeper. A standard monthly salary for a woman in such a job was advertised at around $75 in San Francisco.

Women: Bookkeeper - $75 per month
Back in the early 1900s,...photo-15460212.180807 - |ucfirst

According to the rate of inflation, bookkeepers would make $1,336 per month today. That's obviously not the case, however, and according to Glassdoor, bookkeepers (of all genders) make an average of $3,743 per month in San Francisco.

According to the rate of inflation, bookkeepers would make $1,336 per month today. That's obviously not the case, however, and according to Glassdoor, bookkeepers (of all genders) make an average of $3,743 per

According to the rate of inflation, bookkeepers would make $1,336...photo-15468044.180807 - |ucfirst

Women: Hotel maid - $44 per month

As long as people visit hotels in San Francisco, there will need to be someone to clean the room up later. Back in the early 1900s, those folks — usually women — made around $44 per month, but sometimes also got a deal that included room and board too.

Women: Hotel maid - $44 per month
As long as people visit...photo-15460210.180807 - |ucfirst

Adjusting for inflation, a housekeeping position would pay $784 per month today. Housekeepers today actually make $2,616 per month, according to Glassdoor, although that doesn't usually include room and board.

Adjusting for inflation, a housekeeping position would pay $784 per month today. Housekeepers today actually make $2,616 per month, according to Glassdoor, although that doesn't usually include room and board.

Photo: DragonImages/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Adjusting for inflation, a housekeeping position would pay $784...photo-15468054.180807 - |ucfirst

Another popular career for women who worked in the 1900s was nannying. These women cared for the children of those who could afford to hire help, and were sometimes also offered a room and board deal. This $30 monthly salary likely included a residence of sorts for the hire.

Women: Nanny - $30
Another popular career for women who...photo-15460209.180807 - |ucfirst

A nanny or au pair position (with included room and board) today, at the rate of inflation, would pay $535 per month. Au Pairs and nannies today actually make about $3,510 per month, not including board, although pay can vary wildly depending on the family or company.

A nanny or au pair position (with included room and board) today, at the rate of inflation, would pay $535 per month. Au Pairs and nannies today actually make about $3,510 per month, not including board,

A nanny or au pair position (with included room and board) today,...photo-15468043.180807 - |ucfirst

Men: Cook - $75

A town like San Francisco with a growing population must have a variety of eateries to host hungry patrons. Cook positions were frequently listed in the Chronicle classifieds, often offering a pay of $75 per month for qualified men.

Accounting for inflation, that job would pay $1,337 per month today. In San Francisco, however, cooks — not chefs, who tend to undergo more formal training — make $2,222 a month according to Glassdoor. Line

Women who worked in factories in the early 1900s weren't paid much, but such jobs appeared to be, at least, widely available. An entry level position in manufacturing anything from food, jewelry, or blankets in the city back then would pay between $40 and $48 a month.

At the rate of inflation, a similar factory job would pay $713-$856 per month today. According to Glassdoor, that job actually pays $2,755 a month now and can also include labor union benefits.

At the rate of inflation, a similar factory job would pay $713-$856 per month today. According to Glassdoor, that job actually pays $2,755 a month now and can also include labor union benefits.

Photo: Lovro77/Getty Images

At the rate of inflation, a similar factory job would pay...photo-15468045.180807 - |ucfirst

Women: Waitress - $2 per day ($40-$48 per month)

Although around 1918 saloons became mostly places for male patrons only, women were still hired as waitresses in restaurants. Such a job advertised the position's daily (rather than monthly) pay, as some waitresses may have been encouraged to work six or seven days a week.

At the rate of inflation, a wait staff position would pay $713-$856 per month today. That's obviously not the case in San Francisco, where the average base pay and tipping varies based on the restaurant. Chain eateries may pay up to $60-$70 gross per day, while the wait staff at the most high-end restaurants could earn up to $21.50 per hour including tips, equal to $172 per day.

At the rate of inflation, a wait staff position would pay $713-$856 per month today. That's obviously not the case in San Francisco, where the average base pay and tipping varies based on the restaurant. Chain

One of the more grisly jobs back in the early 1900s unsurprisingly paid generously. Men who responded to classified ads for butchers could earn around $84 per month for their labor — one of the better paying jobs in San Francisco at the time.

Men: Butcher - $84 per month
One of the more grisly jobs back...photo-15460203.180807 - |ucfirst

At the rate of inflation, a butcher position would pay $1,497 per month today. Today, there are likely far less butchers around, but those that still work in the field might earn around $2,783 per month now, per Glassdoor.

At the rate of inflation, a butcher position would pay $1,497 per month today. Today, there are likely far less butchers around, but those that still work in the field might earn around $2,783 per month now,

At the rate of inflation, a butcher position would pay $1,497 per...photo-15468038.180807 - |ucfirst

Men: Produce retailer - $80 per month

Produce retailers — probably equivalent to a grocer today — were paid relatively handsomely in the early days of San Francisco. Classifieds seeking grocers for markets offered up to $80 per month in salary.

Electricians were quite important in the early 1900s as the city was growing and new buildings needed to be, well, lit up. As a result, electricians were very well paid. Those who responded to classified ads could earn $4.25 a day — more than twice what some service jobs paid — for such high-skilled labor.

After inflation, carpenters would earn $1,782-$2,139 per month today, but they actually earn an average of $3,842 according to Glassdoor's estimates. However, that could fluctuate depending on what branch of carpentry a person decides to pursue.

After inflation, carpenters would earn $1,782-$2,139 per month today, but they actually earn an average of $3,842 according to Glassdoor's estimates. However, that could fluctuate depending on what branch of

Men: Janitor - $64 per month
In San Francisco, being a...photo-15460199.180807 - |ucfirst

By inflation's estimate, that would equate to $1,140 per month today, but in reality, a janitor's 2018 pay day could vary dramatically. Where Glassdoor cites the average job pay as $2,557 per month, BART notoriously paid one janitor $270,000 in 2015, which equates to a monthly salary of $22,500.

By inflation's estimate, that would equate to $1,140 per month today, but in reality, a janitor's 2018 pay day could vary dramatically. Where Glassdoor cites the average job pay as $2,557 per month, BART

By inflation's estimate, that would equate to $1,140 per...photo-15468006.180807 - |ucfirst

Men: Chemist or Pharmacist - $150 per month

The highest paid position on this list is the "chemist," which by today's lingo would probably refer to what we'd call a pharmacist today. Back in 1918, these health professionals could earn around $150 per month.

Back in the early 1900s, jobs listed in the Chronicle's classifieds section were divided between men and women. Common positions made available to women tended to be labor-intensive, but occasionally they included desk jobs, like this one for a bookkeeper. A standard monthly salary for a woman in such a job was advertised at around $75 in San Francisco.